DECLASSIFICATION OF DOCUMENTS IN CHILE

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Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
0001339233
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RIPPUB
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U
Document Page Count: 
43
Document Creation Date: 
June 24, 2015
Document Release Date: 
August 31, 2011
Sequence Number: 
Case Number: 
F-2000-01884
Publication Date: 
August 7, 2000
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APPROVED FOR RELEASEL DATE: 10-May-2011 FORM 5-99 4468 (EF) (b)(1) (b)(3) (b)(5) fS T Classify as Appropirate CL P' Cl &F*D I F ~uita The National Security Archive The George Washington University Gelman Library, Suite 701 2130 H Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20037 FAX COVER SHEET Phone: 202/994-7000 Fax: 202/994-7005 nsarchiv@gwu.edu http://www.gwu.edu/nsarchiv Date: Aug 7, 2000 TO: Ms. Ana Gilshur for Director Tenet and Spokesman Mark Mansfield Organization: Central Intelligence Agency From: Tom Blanton Director National Security Archive Number of pages (including cover sheet) S If there is a problem with this transmission, please call us at 202-994-7000 as soon as possible. Message: Ms. Gilshur: Thank you for passing these onto Director Tenet and Mr. Mansfield. This is of the utmost urgency since the director is making a decision early this week on this matter. It would be imperative for him to be aware of this letter at the earliest possible time today. We would like Mr. Mansfield, who has repeatedly promised the release of these documents, to also be aware that his credibility is being directly challenged. thank you. Peter Kornbluh An independent non-governmental research institute and library located at the George Washington University, the Archive collects and publishes declassified documents obtained through the Freedom of Information Act. Publication royalties and tax-deductible contributions through The National Security Archive Fund, Inc. underwrite the Archive's budget. The National Security Archive The George Washington University Phone: 202/994-7000 Gelman Library, Suite 701 Fax: 202/994-7005 2130 H Street, N.W. nsarchiv@gwu.edu Washington, D.C. 20037 August 4, 2000 http://www.gwu.edu/-nsarchiy The Honorable George. Tenet Director of Central Intelligence Central Intelligence Agency Washington D.C. 20505 Dear Director Tenet: As you know, National Security Advisor Samuel Berger wrote me on November 30, 1999 (copy attached) to provide assurances that the CIA would review and release significant documentation on U.S. covert operations in Chile in the early 1970s, pursuant to the White House directive to declassify documents on Chile. At the time, I commended you and the Agency to the press for making the decision to use the opportunity of the Administration's Chile Declassification Project to open the files on this controversial history and, by.so doing, put this episode behind the CIA as an institution. I have been informed, however, that with only a few weeks left before the publication deadline scheduled for September 14, 2000, the CIA's Directorate of Operations is now seeking to block the release of precisely the documents that Mr. Berger pledged the CIA would declassify. In fact, because of that obstruction, the CIA has already missed several of the interim processing deadlines that are required in order to make the promised release date. Apparently, the DO is attempting to reverse the responsible decision that you and the Agency, took last fall. I strongly suspect that the DO higher-ups who are arguing against release are not aware that the overall story and many of the details of the Chile operations were declassified 25 years ago, with the two extensive reports by the Church Committee citing the specific CIA documents at issue here. This fact renders baseless the argument that releasing the documents in substantive form will somehow expose intelligence methods or damage U.S. national security. I am reminded of a similar argument the CIA's general counsel made ten years ago seeking to withold a document on Operation Mongoose on the grounds that it contained "a viable blueprint for future operations." A judge reviewed the document, which dealt with a 1962 helium balloon propaganda airdrop operation over Cuba, and promptly ordered it declassified virtually in its entirety. More importantly, withholding the Chile documents at this point in the process will violate pledges by Mr. Berger, by the CIA officially, and by the President. The relevant quotes are attached to this letter. Withholding the documents at this point will only confirm those who think the worst of the CIA, and imply that the CIA is covering its own sins. Far from putting this story behind you, the CIA will exacerbate the public's lack of trust in the Agency. I urge you to confirm your decision of last year and order the maximum disclosure of the Chile documents. / Respectfully Thomas S. Blanton Executive Director An independent non-governmental research Institute and library located at the George Washington University, the Archive collects and publishes declassified documents obtained through the Freedom of Information Act. Publication royalties and tax-deductible contributions through The National Security Archive Fund, Inc. underwrite the Archive's budget. THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON November 30, 1999 Dear Mr. Blanton: Thank you for your letter regarding the Chile Declassification Project. I appreciate your recognition of the efforts by agencies to collect, review, and declassify documents related to human rights abuses, terrorism, and other acts of political violence in Chile during and prior to the Pinochet era. As you know, some 5,800 documents were included in the initial release in late June. Since your letter, we have released 1,100 additional documents, bringing the total released thus far to nearly 7,000. Agencies are continuing to review documents, and a final release of documents from 1968 through the final years, of Pinochet's rule will take place next spring. You expressed several concerns about the role of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in this project, with particular reference to the Agency's compliance with the provisions of the NSC Tasker issued on February 1 of this year. The CIA has released 600 documents thus far, and expects to release many more in the final phase of the project. These documents have covered several subjects you cite, including the 1973 coup, Operation Condor, and Chile's Directorate of National Intelligence. I have received assurances that CIA material reviewed and released in the final phase will include a substantial number of documents covering other key subjects you cite. In particular, the CIA's search and review of documents in the final phase will include relevant operational records, such as documents related to covert action, documents associated with the Church Committee hearings in 1975, and operational files disseminated outside the Directorate of Operations. I also want to assure you that the CIA is not blocking the release of relevant records identified by the Nixon Presidential Materials Staff. A number of such records were suspended from release based on questions raised by several agencies. we will review and release as much as possible from all records that fall within the scope of the Tasker. I have urged the CIA and other agencies to release as much information from relevant documents as possible, consistent with their obligations to protect the national security. In practice, this means that some material may not be released. As the President's Executive order 12958 recognizes, even documents more than 25 years old may contain information that warrants continued protection. We believe the appropriate method of appealing agency withholding decisions is through the mechanisms already established by E.O. 12958 and the Freedom of Information Act. Our declassification effort thus far has shed a significant amount of light on the facts of the Pinochet era, but we can and should add to that record. I have asked my staff to monitor closely the final phase of this project to ensure that a 1.1 agencies fulfill their commitment to release as much information as possible about these tragic events. Again, thank you for writing concerning this important matter. Sincerely, Samuel R. Berger Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs Mr. Thomas S. Blanton National Security Archive The George Washington University Gelman Library, Suite 701 21.30 H Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20037 The National Security Archive The George Washington University Phone: 202/994-7000 Gelman library, Suite 701 Fax: 202/994-7005 2130 H Street, N.W. nsarchlv@gwu.edu Washington, D.C. 20037 http://www.gwu.edu/-nsarchty THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION'S CHILE DECLASSIFICATION PROJECT Commitments and Promises to Declassify CIA Records on Covert Action "I think you're entitled to know what happened.back then, and how it happened. " --President Clinton, during a press conference in Canada responding to a question on CIA resistance to declassifying documents on Chile, October 8, 1999. CIA spokesman Mark Mansfield "said the CIA recognizes its obligation to release documents about covert actions in Chile. " `By the time this process is completed, the documents I've mentioned will be released.... "' "A senior administration official overseeing the declassification process said yesterday he has a written commitment from 'CIA officials that such documents will be reviewed and released. " --As reported in the Washington Post, October 7, 1999 "CIA spokesman Mike Mansfield promised that 'covert action-related documents will be reviewed for declassification and released in the future. "' --As reported in the Washington Post, October 9, 1999 "I have received assurances that CIA material reviewed and released in the final phase will include a substantial number of documents covering other key subjects you cite. In particular, the CIA.s search and review of documents in the final phase will include relevant operational records, such as documents related to covert action, documents associated with the Church Committee. hearings in 1975, and operational files disseminated outside the Directorate of Operations. " --National Security Advisor Samuel Berger in a November 30, 1999 letter to the National Security Archive "On behalf of the President... you should retrieve and review for declassification documents that shed light on human rights abuses, terrorism, and other acts of political violence In Chile from 1968-78 to ensure that a balanced view of events emerges. " --From the NSC Tasker on Chile Declassification, February 1, 1999 An independent non-governmental research Institute and library located at the George Washington University, the Archive collects and publishes declassified documents obtained through the Freedom of Information Act. Publication royalties and tax-deductible contributions through The National Security Archive Fund, Inc. underwrite the Archive's budget. NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON, D.C. 20504 November 24, 1999 MEMORANDUM FOR MS. KRISTIE A. IENNEY Executive Secretary Department of State COL. MARIA I. CRIBBS Executive Secretary Department of Defense MS. ADRIENNE THOMAS Assistant Archivist for Administrative Services National Archives and Records Administration MS. FRANCES F. TOWNSEND Counsel for Intelligence Policy Department of Justice MR. THOMAS H. WOLFE Executive Secretary Central Intelligence Agency SUBJECT; Declassifying Documents Related to Human Riga)ts Abuses in Chile On February 1 of this year, on behalf of the President, we asked for your cooperation in undertaking a compilation and review for release of all documents that shed light on human rights abuses, terrorism, nd other acts of political violence during and prior to the P.inochet era in Chile. We commend the extraordinary efforts of each agency to collect, review and declassify nearly 7,000 documents thus far. The scope of the February 1 Tasker and related clarifications extended to documents dated from 1968-78; that guidance remains in effect for documents dated prior to 1979. In particular, the release' "Standards set forth in the February 1 Tasker, including the reference to Sec. 3.4(b). of Executive order 12958, continue to apply for documents dated 1968-78. We now ask for your continuing cooperation to complete this project by compiling and reviewing fc.r release documents from the period 1979-91, as well as any addi=ional relevant documents from the period 1968-78. Scope As in the first two phases of This undertaking, you should retrieve and review for declassification documents that shed light on human rights .buses, terrorism, and other acts of political violence in Chile. You should retrieve and review all_ classified documents (as well as unclassified documents not otherwise in the public domain) that are subject to. disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act or authorities governing Presidential papers. As a point of departure in locating relevant documents, attached is a list of well-known cases, together with some events, places and alleged perpetrators associated with human 'rights abuses in Chile. The narrative section of the attachment provides context. In reviewing documents dated after 1978, agencies shall release all responsive information except the following: information that requires continued classification under Sec. 1.6(d) of Executive Order 12958,' information the release of which is prohibited h-y statute, information that would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy, sensitive law enforcement information, and information the.release of which would cause serious and identifiable harm to the deliberative process. Deadlines and Interagency Coordination our goal is to complete this discretionary review and release of documents from 1968-91'by mid-June 2000. To monitor progress toward this goal and to resolve any questions or problems of implementation, the NSC will continue to chair an Interagency Working Group (IWG). The NSC also will chair joint declassification sessions to facilitate review of third-agency referrals as needed. Thank you for your continued cooperation. Rob&tt A. dtke Executive Secretary Attachment Tab A List of Names, Incidents, and Alleged Perpetrators WELL-KNOWN CASES -UNCLASSIFIED Orlando Letelier Ronni Moffitt Michael Moffitt Charles Norman Frank Teruggi Gen. Carlos Prats Gonzalez Sofia Cuthbert Chiarleoni AKA Sofia Cuthbert De Prats Bernardo Leighton Anita Fresno (wife of Leighton) Carmelo Soria Jaime Guzman Gen. Rene Schneider Brigadier General Alberto Bachelet Carmen Gloria Quintana Rodrigo Rojas Tucapel Jimenez Juan Alegria Mundalca PLACES AND INCIDENTS ASSOCIATED WITH ABUSES OR VIOLENCE National stadium AKA soccer stadium Dawson Island Operation Condor Caravan of Death Revolutionary Left Movement (MIR) Manuel-Rodriguez Patriotic Front (FPMR) National Intelligence Directorate (DINA) National Information Center (CNI) Lautaro Youth Movement (MJL) Mulchen Brigade Socialist Party of'Chile (PS) Communist Party of Chile (PCCH) State Intelligence Service of Argentina (SIDE) villa Grimaldi Navarino Island Colona Dignidad Esmeralda (Navy training ship) Pizagua Operation Albania ALLEGED PERPETRATORS Gen.. Sergio Arrellano Stark Gen. Manuel* Contreras Sepulveda Brig. Pedro Octavio Espinoza Bravo Armando Fernandez Larios UNCLASSIFIED NcLAssI TIED ALLEGED PERPETRATORS (Continued) Sergio Arredondo Marcelo Moren Brito Michael Townley Enrique Arrancibia Virgilio Paz Alvin Ross Diaz Odlanier Mena Augusto Pinochet Julio Corbalan Castilla, AKA Alvaro General Robert Viaux Gustavo Leigh Guzman General Camilo Valenzuela Ignacio Novo Guillermo Novo Dionisio Suarez General Augusto Lutz Victor Hugo Barria Barria Corbalan CONTEXT . j The period 1968-70 in Chile' was characterized by increasing left-wing violence, including by the Revolutionary Left Movement (MIR). Following the election; of Socialist President Salvador Allende, there was increasing violence by both the opponents and the supporters of his government, increasing societal instability, and increasingly. acute political conflict. The Commander-in-Chief of the Chilean army, General Rene Schneider, died of wounds he received in an apparent kidnapping attempt just before Allende's confirmation as President by the Chilean Congress in October, 1970. In September 1973, a violent coup brought General Augusto Pinochet to: power. * The,; first years of the military regime were marked:,by serious human rights violations, and at least 3000 persons died or disappeared. In the immediate aftermath of the coup,' many detained persons were brought to the: National St4dium, where many .died. Two U.S. citizens, Charles Horman and Frank Teruggi, were among the regime's early victims. Among those allegedly connected to the disappearance of Charles Norman were General Augusto Lutz and Victor Hugo Barria Barria. The so-called "Caravan of Death,' allegedly directed by General Sergio Arrellano Stark, resulted in the death and dis.appeawance of at least 70 victims in:inorthern Chile. Many persons were allegedly'detained and sometimes tortured. in camps such as Dawson Island, or at:-other locales including Navarino Island, Villa Grimaldi, the Esmeralda UNCLAS'S I FIED 11'50%9A TUE 10:10 F_U 20 456 9200 :ACCESS. HANG UNCLASSIFIED II naval training ship, and later; Colonic Dignidad. Air Force Brigadier General Alberto Bachelet, fo'Ter head of the National Secretariat for Distribution; was among those who died in custody. The regime particularly targeted adherents of the left-wing parties, the ?Socialistll Party of Chile (PS) and the Communist Party of Chile (PCC1 L Violent opposition to the regime was' mounted b' the Manu4LlRodriguez Patriotic Front, by the armed wing of1ithe Communist Party, and by other radical left; groups including the!MIR, reportedly with assistance from Vietnam and!!Cuba. I i! Many other opponents of theliregime, including many Christian Democrats, were exiled. Beginning in~?1'974, the regime targeted selected :opponents!! abroad. General Carlos Prats and his wife were assassinated in Buenos Aires in 1974. Christian Democrat; Bernardo Leighton and his wife were attacked in Rome ih 1975, but survived.; Of particular interest, former Foreign Minister Orlando Letelier and his assistant Ronni Moffitt, a O.S. citize'ni,, were assassinated by a car--bomb in Washington j 0C ' in'S'eptember 1976. Ronni Moffitt's husband,; Michael Moffitt,: wasil in the car but survived. A.U.S. investigation identlf'ed numerous persons as involved in the Letelier.Mo'ffitt murders, including Gen. Manuel Contreras Sepulveda,!Brigadier~P'edro Octavio Espinoza Bravo, Armando Fernandez- Laiio:s, Michael Townley, Ignacio Novo, Gu:-llermo Novo, Dionisio 'Suarez ,F ''and Virgilio Paz. Contreras was head' of the.Natio-nal Intelligence Directorate (DINA) , which together with fits sticcessor organization, the National Information Center is(CNI),. was reportedly responsible for many abuses, The regime reportedly collaborated with the military, and,- intelligence services of other South American countresi, including the State Intelligence Service of Argentina --('SIdE;j , to abduct or otherwise abuse its opponents labro.ad,-under the auspices of the so-called "Operation Condor.": There are reports that, in addit:_on to Chile and Argentina , Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil,*Uruguay, and Peru part cipatedin "Operation In the 1980'*s political viol.en.e c.ontin ed but was less frequent than in the 1970's!i -Large anti-Pinochet demonstrations were?fuelled1by a severe' economic downturn in 1982. Union leader TucapeliJimene;z was; killed in 1982; Juan Alegria Mundalca was allegedly killed a;s part of a coverup in the Jimenez case. In 1985 'three communists (the "degollados") were! killed by the slitting of their throats. Carmen Gloria Quintana and Rodirigo ' Rojjas were reportedly burned by a military patrol iLinrn 198'6; Mt Rojas died of his burns. The same year the Manuel Rfldrigmez Patriotic Front (FPMR) attempted to assassiat'e General; Pinochet. In 1987 UNCLAS;SI FTED IUNCLASS I FLED the regime reportedly undertook the so,-,-alled "Albania operation" in hic,~ 12 F;,PMP members w~zp killed.- Alvaro Corbalan Castilla,j amonc,; others, has been accused of participation in that opera] io.n. Democracy was restored iii ~990; and; PfJlsident Aylwin appointed a truth and reconlci.i'iaton c'naimission under the leadership of Raul' Rettig t;o examine Liman rights abuses under the military regime. The commission report, known as the Rettig Report, publi,she~d -in the spiing of 1991., detailed more than 2000 deaths. Meanwhile 1extr~&ne left groups such as the dissident wing of,th'e Manuel Rod~iguez Patriotic Front - (FPMR-D) and!, the L'autaroj' Youth tenement (MJL ) continued acts of political!Ivioler~ce.ln April 1991, a leading right-wing; polit cian'j'!Jai7ne Gilman, was assassinated. UNCLASSIFIED' u,LEGED PERPETRATORS (Continued) Sergio Arredondo Marcelo Moren Brito Michael Townley gnrique Arrancibia Virgilio Paz Alvin Ross Diaz Odlanier Mena Auguatc Pinochet Julio Corbalan Castilla, AKA Alvaro Corbalan General Robert Viaux Gustavo Leigh Guzman General Camilo Valenzuela Ignacio Novo Guillermo Novo Dionisio Suarez General Augusta Lutz Victor Hugo Barria Barria CONTEXT i The period 1968-70 in Chile'was characterized by increasing left-wing violence, including by the Revolutionary Left. Movement (MIR). Following the ele'ctionjof Socialist President Salvador Allende, there was increasing violence by both the opponents and the supporters of his. government, increasing societal instability, and increasingly. acute political conflict. The Commander-in-Chief of the Chilean army, General Rene Schneider, died of wounds he received in an apparent kidnapping attempt just before Allende's confirmation as President by the Chilean Congress in October, 1970. In September 1973, a violent coup brought General Augusto Pinochet to: power. The first years of the military regime were marked:,by serious human rights violations, and at least 3000 persons died or disappeared. In the' immediate aftermath of the coup, :;many detained persons were brought to the: National Stadium, where many died. Two U.S..citizens, Charles Horman and'Frank Teruggi, were among the regime's early victims. Among those allegedly connected to the disappearance of Charles Horman were General Augusto Lutz and Victor Hugo Barria Barria. The so-called "Caravan of Death," -allegedly directed by General Sergio Arrellano Stark, resulted in the death and disappearance of at least 70 victims insnorthern Chile. Many persons were allegedly, detained ana sometimes tortured in camps such as Dawson island, or at `other locales including Navarino Island, Villa Grimaldi, the Esmeralda I: tNCLASSIFLED 34 Alleged Torture Cases 1988-1990 1. Wilson Fernando Valdebenito Juica Date of Alleged Torture: December 15, 1988 2. Juan Fuentes'Sepulveda Date of Alleged Torture: December 16,.1988 3. Dolores Paz Cautivo Ahumada Date of Alleged Torture: December 31, 1988 4. Pedro Alberto Ciudad Palma Date of Alleged TorturP? 13. Edmundo.Meza Sch Date of Alleged 14. Jorge Alejandro E: 'Date of Alleged Tc 1.5. Marcos Antonio Mardones Villarroel Date of Alleged Torture: July 15, 1989 and August 1, 1989 16. Guillermo Saladort Calderon Leiva Date of Alleged Torture: July 19, 1989 17. Jessica Antonia Liberona Ninoles Dates of Alleged Torture: August 20-mid September.1989 18. Andrea Fabiola Oyarzun Alvarado Dates of Alleged Torture: August 20-September 10, 1989 19. Hilda Oriana Alvarado Jara Dates of Alleged Torture: August 20-September 10, 1989 20. Luis Orlando Vargas Miranda Date of Alleged Torture: August 22, 1989 21. Julio Enrique Gerding Salas . Date of Alleged Torture: August 28, 1989 22. Jorge Muzz Fernando Dates of Alleged Torture: August 29-September -10, 1989 23. Avelino Villarroel Munoz Date of Alleged Torture: September 1, 1989 24. Victor Alfonso Diaz Gonzalez Date of Alleged Torture: September 24, 1989 25. Leonor Clara Espinoza Parra Dates of Alleged Torture: October 18-27, 1989 26. Patricia Irrazabal .Dates of Alleged Torture: October 26-unknown date November, 1989 27. Marcos Ariel Antonioletti Ruiz Dates. of Alleged Torture: October 26, 1989 and November 17, 1990 28. Hector Raul Irrazabal Moya Dates of Alleged Torture: October 26-beginning of November 1989 29. Marcos Paulsen Figueroa Dates of Alleged Torture: October 26-November 1, 1989 30. Andrea Paulsen Figueroa Dates of Alleged Torture:. October 27, 1989-early November, 1989 31. Claudio Varela Moya Date of Alleged Torture: November 10, 1989 32. Marcelo Arturo Garay Vergara Dates of Alleged Torture: November 30, 1989-January 1, 1990 33. Luis Leyton Chamorro Date of Alleged Torture: December 5, 1989 34. Marcelo Samuel Gutierrez Hernandez Date of Alleged Torture: December 21, 1989 WELL-KNOWN CASES Orlando Latelier Ronni Moffitt Michael Moffitt Charles Horman Frank Teruggi Gen. Carlos Prats Gonzalez Sofia Cuthbert Chiarleoni AKA Sofia Cuthbert De ?rats Bernardo Leighton Anita Fresno (wife of Leighton) Carmelo Soria Jaime Guzman Gen. Rene Schneider Brigadier General Alberto Sachelet Carmen Gloria Quintana Rodrigo Rojas Tucapel Jimenez Juan Alegria Mundaica PLACES AND INCIDENTS ASSOCIATED'WITH ABUSES OR VIOLENCE National stadium AKA soccer stadium Dawson Island Operation Condor Caravan of Death Revolutionary Left Movement (MIR) Manuel-Rodriguez Patriotic Front (FPMR) National Intelligence Directorate (DINA) National Information Center (CNI) Lautaro Youth Movement (MJL) Muichen Brigade Socialist Party of Chile (PS) Communist Party of Chile (PCCH) State Intelligence Service of Argentina (SIDE) Villa Grimaldi Navarino Island Colonic Dignidad Esmeralda (Navy training ship) Pisagua operation Albania ALLEGED PERPETRATORS Gen. Sergio Arrellano Stark Gen. Manuel Contreras Sepulveda Brig. Pedro'' Octavio Espinoza Bravo Armando Fernandez Larios UNCLASSIFIED CON Th IAL when separated from attachments 5